Win for Tweed homeless after council backs respite centre
HOMELESS people on the Tweed finally have a place they can call home.
Tweed Shire Council approved a homeless respite centre for Boyd St, despite protest from neighbours to the development and several councillors.
Both councillors Katie Milne and Gary Bagnall voted against the proposal preferring a trial period to assess the impact to neighbours.
Cr Bagnall said he had several concerns about the development.
"I'm firstly concerned for the neighbours," Cr Bagnall said.
"A good sized portion of the Tweed is made up of elderly people and we have to protect them."
Cr Bagnall said with about 200 homeless in the Tweed the centre had the potential to be far busier than stated in the application.
In voting to support the application, Councillor Michael Armstrong said resources were needed for the homeless.
"We need to provide assistance to those who are marginalised and vulnerable," Cr Armstrong said.
"The conditions imposed on the property are appropriate."
The respite centre, operated by two full-time staff and volunteers, at 9 Boyd St, Tweed Heads would have the capacity to provide meals, storage, laundry and bathroom facilities with access to computer, internet and telephone.
